As Graham Gano shows progress in his recovery from injured reserve, it might be wise for the Giants to consider having a backup kicker ready for their game in Philadelphia this Sunday. They’ve previously found themselves without a replacement when Gano was unable to play.
This situation occurred recently in Week 3 against the Chiefs when Gano, 38, sustained a groin injury during warmups, which kept him sidelined for most of the game. He eventually managed to kick a short field goal in the fourth quarter.
“We’re going to have many discussions among coaches as the week unfolds,” said special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial before Thursday’s practice. “With Graham’s window opened for a return, he kicked well [Wednesday].”
“We’ll explore every avenue to ensure our team has the best chance of winning. Every week presents unique challenges, and we’ll consider all possibilities.”
The Giants might consider promoting seasoned kicker Yonghoe Koo for Sunday’s match, while they also reinstated rookie Jude McAtamney to the practice squad after he was waived following a less-than-stellar performance in Denver last week. He missed two extra points, one of which could have given the team a lead with just 37 seconds remaining.
“We went into the game feeling confident in our plan. Everything was consistent leading up to it,” Ghobrial mentioned. “Jude performed well in practice.”
“Ultimately, we don’t have a fourth down situation, and that failure is on me. I’ve got to improve. Games are often decided by a narrow score margin. If we don’t capitalize on fourth downs, it impacts the team, especially regarding scoring. That rests on my shoulders. I need to do better, and we’ll move forward.”
Gano, a Pro Bowler during his time with Carolina in 2017, successfully made all six of his field goals and was 4-for-4 on PATs before going to injured reserve.
He kicked a 55-yard field goal in the season opener against the Commanders.
“We have to ensure he’s fully fit and kicking effectively,” Ghobrial said regarding Gano’s condition. “Even if someone is slightly injured or still recuperating, they will not be rushed back.”
“We’ll evaluate his current status, considering feedback from our medical team, and obviously discuss it as coaches to determine next steps.”
